Sintering refractory metals



1,615,957 Febl 1927 E. E. scHUMAcHER SINTERING REFRACTORY METALS FiledOC.. 2, 1923 Zwin/M Aff] 'Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EABLE E. BCHUHACHEB, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERNELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED,

Y NEW YORK.

OF NEW YORK, N.' Y., A CORPORATION OF SINTERING REFRACTORY METALS.

Application 'led October 2, 1923. Serial No. 666,142.

rllhis invention relates to the sintering of metals and has for itsobject the production of coherent bodies of highly refractory metals.

This object is attained by supporting in a vacuum a mass of finelydivided refractory metaly and passing` a relatively high electriccurrent through the mass to heat itto a suliiciently high temperature tosinter it.

Referring now to the drawings, this single figure thereof discloses anyapparatus for treating the metal. ,f

A glass vessel 10 is provided with a neck 11 anda conduit 12 which isadaptedto lead to a vacuum pump, (not shown). A vtubular extension 13protrudes from the vessel at a point opposite the neck 11 and has sealedat its end a copper disk 14 according to the method disclosed in thepatent to W. (Jr. Houskeeper 1,293,441 of February 4, 1919. A leading-inconductor 15 passes through the disk 14 and is soldered or otherwiseconnected to the disk and projects up through the portion- 13. u

A tubular ground glass stopper 16 is provided to fit 1n the neck 11 andclose the vesse1.` A copper disk 17 is sealed to theY outer .end of thestopper 16 according to the method, disclosed -in the aforementionedjHousekeeper patentl and is provided with a leading-in condutor 18Vwhich extends into the interior ofthe vesselv 10. A tubular clamp 19 isthreaded on to the end of the conductor 18 and is provided with .a nut20 for tightenino the clamp. Held by the clamp is a body 21 of finelydivided refractory metal compressed into a bar orl rod. Inr theprotruding portion 13 is rovided a supply of mercu 22 into whic dips a/meta1sleeve'23 carrled by the rod 21. The conductor 15 projects up intothe sleeve .23.

With arod 21 supported' in the manner shown, the conduit 12 is connectedto an exhaust ump and thegas exhausted from the vesse 10. The leading-inconductors 15 and 18 are connected with a suitable source of electricalI energy and current passed through the rofl 21 to heat it to asufficiently high temperature to lsinter it.

This-"apparatus and method obviate the necessity of using hydrogenduring the sintering process as it is possible to remove all mj urlousgases from they presence of the rod, and also permit the observation ofthe metal during the sintering process.

It is', ofcourse, understood that various modifications may be made inthis apparatus without" departing in any way from the spirit of theinvention, as set forth in the ap ended claims..

.he invention claimed is:

1. Apparatus'. for sinterng bars of compressed metallic powdercomprising an evacuable vessel, vacuum tight conductors for leadingcurrent into and out of said vessel, clamp fastenings for leadingcurrent into and outof said bar, means for attachng one of saidconductors to one of said fastenings, a pool of mercury so disposed asto electrically connect the other said fastening to the other saidconductor so that said bar may contract or expand freel 2. Incombination, a vesse yhaving a neck and a tubular projectin portion, ametal disk sealed in theend 0% said tubular portion, an electricalconductor passing through said disk, a Ytubular stopper for said neck, ametal disk sealed in said stopper, a leading-in 'conductor passinthrough said disk, a clamp at (the end of said conductor, a body ofmetalsupported by said clamp, a supply of mercury in said tubularportion,'and a tubular metallic member attached to the end of said bodyof metal and extending into said mercury.

'In witness whereof, I hereuntoI subscribe my name this 25th day ofSeptember A. D., 1923. I v

EARLE E. SCHUMACIHEIR..

